MARINE CARNIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 12028, 28 October 1903, Page 5

MARINE CARNIVAL

carnival and bazaar organised members and adherents of the Moray HKe Congregational Church, in aid of the Burch funds, was opened this aitemoon Kthe Choral Hall. The brill as decorated the ladies of the congregation presented K- really brilliant spectacle. The building Kvas draped with flags and hung with Ja--rponese lanterns, and these two features, combined with the draping? of the stalls themselves, made up a’ color scheme ■which showed some admirable blending. Baades members of the congregation and those immediately interested in the carnival, there was » large attendance of the general public, and during the course of the afternoon business went forward so briskly that the carnival already bids fair to realise the best expectations of the promoters. The stalls and stallholders were as follow;- — First Guild Stall.—Sirs Saunders, Mrs Smith, Mrs Johns, Miss Tittle. Miss M'Kechnie.

Second Guild Stall. —Mis Bone, Mrs Hunter, Mrs Gilray, hire Sbacklnck, Miss Bone, Miss Duncan.*

Flower Stall.—Ain- Croft. Mrs Throp, Mrs Evans, Mrs H. G. Campbell, Miss Throp. Gentlemen’s Stall.—Miss Knight, Miss Alillin, bliss Begg, Mr Campbell, jt Sunday School Stall,—Miss Harris, Miss IBaird, bliss Rowlandson, bliss Scully, and Pjbnday school scholars.

Stalk—Mrs W. Coull. Mrs Kahleaberg, Mrs Smith, Mrs Cameron’ bliss Begg, Miss Crust, bliss Grcig. Choir Stall.—Mrs Israel, Mm Smeaton, Mrs Bright, Mrs Scully, bliss Stewart, Mrs Jas. Jago, Mrs Jas. Burt.

1 nor to calling un His Worship the Mayor to make the opening speech, the Bev. Mr Saunders, pastor of the con«Tovation, said : Before 1 ask His Worship the Mayor m his kindness to formally open this bazaar, allow me to make a few introducremarks. First, as to the object wo r “ ave 111 View - We want to raise £I.OOO, to pay off the debt on our church buildings * ud » itei ' and renovate them. The debt is £600—£450 on the church and £l5O on the manse. This is not a distressing amount, capeciaUy when we consider the very valuable site and buildings we possess; but comparatively small ihougn it is, wo must get rid of it. The contemplated improvements, to the property I need not now specify. I will merely say that when they are made the comfort of all worshipping with us will be greatly increased. When a few months ago I asked dor £I.OOO, some thought I was too ambitious. I am, however, very hopeful of raising it if this t bazaar proves to he the success we antiei--1 pate, for the promises of monetary gifts already made are most generous. On Friday night the Committee will give me the, amount realised or promised, and I shall then announce it, and am confident that you will be exceedingly gratified. So much coin cerning our object. Concerning the conduct of the sale, 1 wish to emphasise two things. First, there are to be no rallies, art unions or anything of that kind. All goods will be disposed of by legitimate pale, o-r will bo -kept. Secondly, as there are to be no raffles, etc., so also there is to be no sacrifidng of anything that .is offered for sale. The prices arc fair, being if anything below palue. We must neither be unjust to payers nor donors. I would particularly remind those at the stalls of tills agreement, lest any, in their eagerness to do business, should be tempted to cut down prices. The goods in this hall arc of considerable value, and represent much bard work and wholehearted giving. I wish to say that whatever the cash results of this” bazaar may be, nothing can alter the gratifying fact of the goodness and zeal of those interested in the Moray place Church. .And now I will ask His Worship the Mayor to open this carnival. We are deeply sensible of his goodness in being present with ns to-day. His year of office is marked by very large municipal undertakings, and he cannot but be exceedingly busy. We are the more 1 grateful to him for giving us this afternoon. Mr Mayor, on behalf of the Moray place Church I welcome you here, and thank vou most sincerely for coming to our help. We shall be glad if you will now formally open this marine carnival.

His Worship the Mayor, who was received with load applause, said : Mr Saunders, ladies, and gentlemen, if it gives yon pleasure to have me here this afternoon, I can assure you it gives ms very much pleasure to be here. I consented to be present when asked, without the slightest reservation. One reason I had for so consenting was that I hfivo known your pastor, Mr Saunders, for a great many years, and I hold him in high esteem, both as a minister and as a worker. I am specially impressed with the fact that Mr Saunders hits intimated that there are to be no raffles or art unions in connection with the carnival. I thing the congregation have shown much Wisdom in deciding on that. In connection with church bazaars it has been said that it would be better if people gave their monev directly to the cause for which they were Working. My experience goes to show that this is not practicable. There are many who can assist, but not with money. They axe willing to give in work, perhaps iu articles of sale, and it is only by having bazaars that you can secure their assistance. As for your present sale, it is, no doubt, a work of love, not onlv for Ibe church to which you belong, but for the great cause lor which fou all are working. It has sometimes also been said that it is a mistake for the church to be free from debt. I do not agree with that. If a church is in debt there is always a large sum of money which has to be expended annually in- interest, and I thiolthat that money could be turned to better uses. It is not impossible to run bazaars without art unions and raffles. I oversaw one so run myself, and it turned out a great success. Apart from church matters, no one could properly object to art unions! In churches, however, this sort of thing was an inducement for young people to go further when they saw it encouraged in their midst. Concluding, His Worship said that the bazaar would help to bring the manbers and adherents together in the bonds of good-fellowship. He had no doubt that they would be successful in raising all the money that was wanted, and he washed them every success. The carnival will be open this evening ind to-morrow and Friday, and as there ire several hundreds of pounds’ worth <>f goods on sale visitors will find no lack of Variety.